The game they play online in heaven

The Casualty Ward Rd 7

Round Seven

Returned from Injury into Round 7:

Toni Pulu (Chiefs) – Was the standout player to return from injury this week, running in 100 metres and busting 5 tackles on the way to bagging himself a brace of tries (62 points).Sonny Bill Williams (Blues) – Demonstrated some of his characteristic flare, running 50 metres, breaking the line once and busting 5 tackles in 25 minutes (22 points).Ben Smith (Highlanders) – Ran in a try and a relatively sound performance in the Highlanders win over conference bottom dwellers the Blues (35 points).Cory Jane (Hurricanes) – Played his first game of the season and played well, however he didn’t stamp his name on one of the Hurricanes’ outside back positions.Liam Squire (Highlanders) – Came off the bench for 33 minutes, getting straight to work with 7 tackles, 1 linebreak and 2 tackle busts of 4 runs (24 points).Hanro Liebenberg (Bulls) – Returned for 80 minutes, however he failed to make a large impact, especially in defence where he only made 1 of 2 tackle attempts (21 points).Ben McCalman (Force) – McCalman looked dangerous off the back of the scrum and with ball in hand during his 20 minute cameo off the bench. He also managed to dot the ball over the line, whilst getting help up on another occasion (20 points).Sef Fa’agase (Reds) Vaea Fafita (Hurricanes) also returned.

New Injuries Round 7:

Shout out to Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks) for giving us his injury news directly – “Hip Pointer” – bruising around the pelvis, could be anywhere from 1-6 weeks.

Sekope Kepu (Waratahs) – Suspension for 1 week (3 yellow cards this season).Rob Horne (Waratahs) – Pulled up sore from training, likely to be back after the bye.Sean McMahon (Rebels) – A knee injury has setback his return date until June.Kyle Godwin (Brumbies) – Broken Hand, Out for Rd 8 & 9.Jordan Smiler (Brumbies) – Hamstring injury, Larkham is expecting him to have at least a couple of weeks on the sidelines.Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) – Minor ankle injury against the Waratahs, Likely back Rd 9 against the Stormers.Digby Ioane (Crusaders) – Re-aggravated his pinky finger injury now requiring an operation. Digby has said he was out for five weeks but his coach has said there is no timeframe on his recovery.Pieter-Steph Du Doit (Stormers) – Knee swelled last week so was rested for Rd 7, Most likely back this week.Eben Etzebeth (Stormers) – Calf strain, at risk of missing Rd 8.JD Schickerling (Stormers) – Ankle injury – out for a few weeks.Cobus Wiese (Stormers) – Suspected shoulder dislocation but no scans yet. No good for this weekend, aiming to return for the NZ tour. Nizaam Carr most likely to take his spot in the team.Garth April (Sharks) – A late injury change before the Jaguares game in Rd 7 with a calf strainAndries Coetzee (Lions) – Battling a hamstring injury, will undergo a fitness test this week.Matias Alemanno (Jaguares) – indirect shoulder to left shoulder, out for at least Rd 8 & 9.

Likely Back This Week:

Kieran Read (Crusaders) – He has been given the all clear for a Super Rugby return this week.Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders) – Potentially returning this week after competing in club footy last week.Dane Coles (Hurricanes) – Likely to play this week.Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) – Calf strain. Likely back for round 8 (after bye).Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders) – Hamstring tear. Given the all clear for round 8.Ardie Savea (Hurricanes) – Calf strain, may return this weekQuade Cooper (Reds) – He has served is 3 week suspension and should be ready and raring to go.Lopeti Timani (Rebels) – Due to return for the Rebels this week, should slot straight into the loose forwards with the loss of Reid and McMahon.Lionel Mapoe (Lions) – Should be right to play this week.Jano Vermaak (Stormers) – Past Concussion protocols so he should play this week.Sergeal Petersen (Cheetahs) – Returning this week.Harumichi Tatekawa (Sunwolves) – Knock on the knee. Expected to return this week.Ed Quirk (Sunwolves) – Back this week after being rested in Rd 7.

ARGENTINA/JAPAN
Thomas Lavanini (Jaguares) – ACL reconstruction – expected back 9 months post op (June), although their medical team was targeting March (Take what the Jaguares medical staff say with a grain of salt!)Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Jaguares) – Knee Ligament Damage. Hoping for a return any week now.Manuel Montero (Jaguares) – Reinjured on the road to recovery – we think hamstring?Martin Landajo (Jaguares) – Could be back within the next few weeks – Rd 9-12??